APF prevail over Koshi, Madhesh bag first win at PM Cup

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 26: The Armed Police Force (APF) Club has won their fourth consecutive match while Sudurpaschim Province has registered their third match in a row at the Prime Minister Cup Women's T20 National Cricket tournament held on Monday. Madhesh Province also bagged their first match while Lumbini Province won their second match on the same day.

In the match between the title favorites at Upper Mulpani cricket ground, APF won by eight wickets against Koshi Province. Koshi Province batted first and scored 84/2 in 20 overs. APF, in reply, lost two wickets and won the match in 17.3 overs with 90 runs on the board. National team captain Indu Barma top-scored with an unbeaten 36 runs while Jyoti Pandey (24) and Captain Sita Rana Magar (18) also contributed to the win of APF. With four wins in a row, APF is at the top with eight points, while Koshi is in second place with six points after suffering their first loss in four matches.

Sudurpaschim Province won by six wickets against Bagmati Province at TU Cricket Ground. Bagmati Province struggled to collect 87 runs losing eight wickets in 20 overs. Laxmi Saud and Kabita Joshi dismissed two batters each for Sudurpaschim. Bindu Rawal (28) and Kabita Joshi (not out 27) steered Sudurpaschim to their third win. With back-to-back wins, Sudurpaschim is in third place with six points, falling behind Koshi in net run rate. Bagmati Province is in fourth place with four points.

Madhesh Province defeated Gandaki Province by 27 runs in the match at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground. Puja Mahato's 38 and Saraswati Kumari's not out 26 helped Madhesh to amass 112/7 in 20 overs. Gandaki, who suffered their third defeat, was bundled out to 85 runs with two balls to spare. Suman Khatiwada, who dismissed three batters of Madhesh, smashed 33-ball 42 from the middle but her batting went in vain as she could not get a stable partner. All-rounder Mahato was the major destroyer of Gandaki's batting with a three-wicket haul.

Lumbini Province beat Karnali Province by 30 runs in another match at the TU Cricket Ground. Karnali Province, who chased the target of 134 runs presented by Lumbini Province for victory, managed to score only 103 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. For Karnali, Gauri Bohra (22) and Opener Yamuna Tharu (21) are the top contributors with the bat. Lumbini's Saraswati Pun and Kritika Marasini took two wickets in the restriction of Karnali. With the win, Lumbini Province has scored four points from four games and is in fifth place. Karnali Province, with four consecutive losses, is at the bottom without any points.